Domestic Violence Motive in Latest Homicide

On November 26, 2015 at approximately 10:00 am, Police and EMS responded to a suite located in the 100 block of Tuxedo Ave regarding an unresponsive female.

Upon arrival, officers located the deceased body of Candace Monias (28) of Garden Hill, Manitoba.

Police indicate the investigation revealed the deceased and her domestic partner travelled to Winnipeg recently.

On November, 26, 2015, the couple attended a suite on Tuxedo Ave and became embroiled in an argument that escalated to the point the victim was seriously assaulted and rendered unconscious.

Police attended and met the victim’s partner who was identified as Charley Harper (29) of Garden Hill, Manitoba.

Officers subsequently learned Harper was bound by two probation orders with conditions to have no contact with Monias due to previous domestic related incidents in Garden Hill, Manitoba.

As a result, Harper was arrested and detained at the Provincial Remand Centre.

The investigation continued by members of the WPS Homicide Unit.

An autopsy was conducted and the results indicated Monias died as a result of foul play.

On December 3, 2015, Police attended to the Provincial Remand Centre and removed Harper who was subsequently charged with 2nd degree murder.

He was processed on the charges and returned to custody.

Monias is the 22nd reported homicide victim in Winnipeg in 2015.

She is the third victim of recent domestic violence in the City of Winnipeg.

On October 8, 2015, Selena Keeper (20) was viciously beaten to death outside a Flora Ave home. Her boyfriend Ray William Everett (20) was charged with 2nd degree murder in connection with her death.

On October 30, 2015, Camille Runke (49) was shot to death behind her Marion Street workplace. The suspect in her killing was identified as her ex-husband Kevin Runke (46). Runke subsequently killed himself when Police attempted to pull his vehicle over in the St Malo area.

Winnipeg recorded 25 Homicides in both 2014 and 2013.

INSIDER COMMENTARY:

In 2015, thus far, a total of five (5) women have been victim’s of homicide in the YWG.

In 2014, a total of nine (9) women were victim’s of homicide in River City.

Three of those killings remain unsolved…

Tina Fontaine (15)

Beatrice Crane (44)

Angela Poorman (29)

SIDE BAR:

The “cause of death” is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to homicide investigation.

In cases where the cause of death isn’t obvious, an autopsy is essential to determine the cause and manner of death.

The determinations made by a Pathologist during a post-mortem examination must conclusively indicate some form of foul play or a successful prosecution is not likely.

Pathologists may not provide police with the cause of death immediately upon conclusion of a post-mortem examination.

They may need time to process, deliberate or conduct further examinations.

In some cases, alcohol and toxicology screens are required before any final determinations can be made.